Spring Break Destinations in Utah

I’m excited to have Alyssa Craig here again guest posting about something I love!  UTAH!!  I love the great state of Utah and all the fun, amazing and beautiful places there are to visit here.  It’s our spring break this week so I am taking the next two day off of blogging to spend time with my husband and kids and have two great guest post coming up!

Spring Break is coming up for kids all over the state of Utah. As you start to think about what you want to do with that week off from school, there are many locations here in Utah to consider that are close to home. From the top of the state, down to the bottom, and along the borders, there are many treasures to be explored that are both natural and manmade.

Check out some of these options for family friendly spring break destinations in the great Beehive State.

Lakes

Though it might not be quite warm enough to get out the boat yet (unless you really enjoy wearing wetsuits), a lake may still be a great place to consider for your spring break vacation. Bear Lake in the northern tip of the state and Lake Powell to the south both offer the chance for water recreation as well as camping, hiking, and an abundance of natural beauties. Who knows?! With the warm winter temperatures we have been having, the temperatures may be fairly warm by spring break!

Surrounded by the Great Salt Lake is Antelope Island (to the west of the city of Layton). If you are from the Salt Lake Valley, or surrounding areas, Antelope Island gives you a chance to stay close to home and experience camping, horseback riding, hiking, and biking potential as if you are away on vacation. You can also see herds of bison, among other wildlife, as mentioned in this great road trip guide to Utah.

Eastern Utah

Your first stop on your way east should be in Vernal at Dinosaurland. Famous for their evidence of prehistoric life, your kids will love seeing the wall of fossils at The Quarry and reconstructed dinosaur skeletons at the Dinosaur National Museum.

Next up is Flaming Gorge, just a little north of Vernal. At the reservoir, you can go on tours of the dam and in the surrounding area. Your family can take part in fishing, boating, camping, and even backpacking. Depending on the weather, you can consider adding a little river rafting or snowmobiling to the agenda.

Monument Valley

This corner of the state is full of adventure waiting to happen. Located on a Navajo nation land, travel around the valley to see the sites with a Navajo guide. A permit is needed if you would like to backpack. Among the many wonders of Monument Valley, you and your family can explore:

Ancient ruins
Four Corners Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
River running on the San Juan River
Backpacking in the Dark Canyon wilderness
Valley of the Gods: This area is open for hiking, backpacking, and camping with no tribal restrictions.

Ghost Towns

There are many ghost towns scattered all around the state, giving opportunities for exploration no matter where your spring break vacationing takes you. There are many clustered around the St. George area, so you are not likely to get bored as you explore this area, in search of old, abandoned towns. Find out the history of the area to add even more fun to the adventures and to help keep the kids interested.

National Parks

We are incredibly lucky to have so many National Parks nearby. If you are still not sure where to go on your family’s spring break vacation, any one of these locations is a great option:

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Grand Canyon (Kanab)
Zion National Park

Especially if you have young children, short travel times are a must for an enjoyable road trip. Our great state of Utah offers many opportunities for either staying local for spring break or for traveling a few hours away. So pick a location, pack up the kids, and get ready to show them some amazing places.